Improvement in faucets



UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i JOHN IINOOEE,` `or CINCINNATI, OHIO, AssIeNoE To HIMsELr AND HENRY vAEwIe, or sAME rLAoE.

IMPROVEMENT 1N FAucET-s,v

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.1045602, dated June 21, 1870.

I, JOHN KNoGHE,of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented` a new and useful Beer-Faucet, of which the followingis a specicaticn: 1

Nature cmd Objects of my Incenticn.

This invention relates to a faucet which is to be employed for the purpose of drawing oftl beer, ale, and similar liquors from casks or barrels; and the first part of my improvement consists in providing the apparatus with a sliding duct or tube, which, when the faucet is inserted in its proper position, projects above the surface of the liquor, and allows a quantity of fresh air to flow into the barrel, cask, or other receptacle everytime the faucet is opened-Without permitting any gas within the cask to escape, it being understood that the lower and outer end of said tube or duct communicates, through a suitable cock or valve, with the external air, which cock is opened and closed simultaneously with the plug of the faucet proper.

The second part of my improvement consists in the provision of a spring for the automatic closure of the air-cocks when disengaged from the faucet proper.

tion into the barrel or cask, the air-duct being shown in its retracted position and the plug of the faucet closed. Fig. 2 is an axial section of the same, with the air-duct in its protruded position and its valve and the plug of the faucet opened. Fig. 3 is a plan of a portion of the apparatus, thevalve of the airduct and the plug of the faucet being closed and shown in section. Fig. 4 is a similar view, with the air-valve and faucet` opened. Fig. 5 is a pla-n, showing the spring with which the automatic closure of the valve and plug is effected. Fig.`6 is a view, showing the manner in which my improved faucet is applied to a beer or ale cask.

A represents the barrel of a faucet, having the customary plug B and tapering portion C, for insertion in the barrel or cask. Projecting upwardly from the portion G of the bar\ rel A, and toward the plug B, is a short cylinder, D, provided with a stuffing-box, E, which receives the curved and sliding air-duct F, Whose inner end is closed, as 'at f, and whose outer end has attached to it a valvechamber, G. This air-duct is pierced near its inner'end with a series of apertures, f', which are covered with a piece of india-rubber, oilsilk, or other elastic and impervious material, H. V y

I is a collar, which prevents the air-duct being detached from the faucet Whenever said duet isV retracted. The valve-chamber Gr is provided with a passage, g, 'that communicates with the interior of the air-duct whenever the valve J is opened, which is effected by means of arm K, connecting-rod L, and crank N, the latter being attached to the upper portion of Athe plug B of the faucet. The arm K is connected to valve J by screw 7c. The valve J is automatically closed by a volute spring, O, which is attached to the interior of the shell Gr' of chamber Gr, and also to the stem j of said valve. A pin, P, limits the closure of valve J.

The shell G can be detached from chamber Gr by simply removing a screw, m. The up per portion of the hub A of the faucet is provided with two shoulders, c a', against one-of which the crank N impinges whenever the plug B is opened by turning the handle R either to the right or left.

A swell, S, causes the duct F to bind snugly within the smiling-box E, and a shoulder, T, limits the insertion of said duct into the stuffing-box.

Operation.

lthe faucet, after which the air-duct may be pushed to its place.

As long as the beer is fresh, and under pressure equal to that ofthe atmospherefthe air-cock may remain disengaged, as in Fig. l;

but when so much oi' the liquor has been drawn off as to reduce the pressure to equilibrium with the atmosphere, the eye of the connecting rod or link L should be engaged with the crank N, as represented in Figs. 2 and 6.

When the handle R is turned so as to open the plug B of the faucet, the valve J is also opened, and, as the escape of liquor has a tendency to produce vacuum in the cask, the air instantly rushes through passage g', valve J, and duct F f to supply it.

When the desired amount of liquor has been drawn off', and the operator has ceased to grasp the handle R, 'the spring` O immediately and simultaneously closes both plug B and Valve J.

It' will be seen that my improved faucet permits the proper quantity of air to enter the barrel at the exact moment when it is needed, and, as the air-duct is closed by two separate and distinct valves, H J, there is no possibility of the gas escaping. In some cases,

however, the inner valve arrangement, f' H, may be omitted, if desired.

The valve J need not be connected to the plug B, so as to have a simultaneous Ymovement therewith; but said valve J can be arranged so as to be opened and closed by hand at such intervals as the attendant may deem desirable.

Claims.

I claim as new and of my invention- 1. Providing a beer or other faucet with a sliding air duct or tube, F, whose outer end is furnished with an external valve, J, that has an independent or simultaneous movement with the plug B, for the object stated.

2. The sliding air-duct F, provided with an external cock, J, and an internal valve, f H, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, substantially as herein described, of the faucet A A a af', plug B, stuiting-box D E, sliding air-tube F, and its accessories f H G g J O, and actuating devices K. L. and N, for the object explained.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JOHN KNOCHE.

Witnesses Gno. H. KNIGHT, J AMES H. LAYMAN. 

